Mets edge Reds 3-2 on July 20, 2025, to avoid a sweep. Juan Soto's clutch baserunning and a wild Edwin Díaz escape fuel a thrilling late-game victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it looked like the Cincinnati Reds were about to leave Queens with a sweep, the Mets manufactured a little magic. In a tense Sunday showdown at Citi Field, Juan Soto sparked an eighth-inning rally, scoring the go-ahead run on a Luis Torrens groundout to snatch a 3-2 victory from the jaws of defeat and keep pace in the heated divisional chase.
After hitting Spencer Steer with the bases loaded to force in the tying run, Edwin Díaz buckled down and struck out Tyler Stephenson to strand three and keep the game alive.
The eighth inning was pure chaos. Edwin Díaz entered with a 2-1 lead and promptly loaded the bases before hitting Spencer Steer with a pitch to force in the tying run, earning a blown save and sending a groan through Citi Field. But in a stunning reversal, Díaz struck out the next batter, Tyler Stephenson, leaving the bases loaded and preserving the tie. The Mets' offense immediately seized the momentum. Juan Soto drew a leadoff walk, raced to third on a Jeff McNeil double, and scored the decisive run on Luis Torrens’ fielder's choice. Ryne Stanek then slammed the door with a perfect ninth for his second save, capping a wild, must-win game.
None of the late-game drama would have been possible without David Peterson's stellar outing. The lefty was brilliant, navigating six innings while allowing just a single unearned run. He scattered five hits, struck out six, and repeatedly worked out of trouble, including a bases-loaded jam in the second. In a season where starting pitching has been paramount, Peterson’s quality start was exactly the stabilizing force the team needed to snap its two-game skid.
While the final run was manufactured without a hit, the offense did just enough to get there. Brandon Nimmo tied the game early with an RBI single in the third. Later, it was one of the newer faces, Luisangel Acuña, who came up big, lacing an RBI double in the fifth to score Brett Baty and give the Mets their first lead. It was a testament to the lineup's depth, proving they can grind out wins even when the bats aren't booming.
While the big club fought it out in Queens, the future of the organization was making noise. Catcher Francisco Alvarez, working on his swing in Triple-A Syracuse, is on an absolute tear, blasting four home runs and collecting 10 RBIs this week alone. His power surge is a loud reminder of the talent waiting in the wings. The Mets also officially welcomed their newest top prospect, signing first-round pick Mitch Voit. The two-way player was introduced at Citi Field before being assigned to Port St. Lucie, kicking off what the front office hopes is a star-studded career.
This wasn't a pretty win, but it was a necessary one. By avoiding the sweep, the Mets held their ground in the NL East, remaining just a half-game behind Philadelphia. This kind of gritty, full-team victory can be a major momentum boost. As they look ahead, they'll need to channel this resilience, because every single game in this divisional dogfight is going to count.
